Does Midol have Ibuprofen in it? 

Does Midol have Ibuprofen in it? 

Yes, Midol does have Ibuprofen in it, just like Advil and Motrin. The different names of one generic medication are brand names of different manufacturers. 

However, Midol has a wide range of varieties with different active ingredients. Make sure you buy the one which only contains Ibuprofen if that’s what you want to use.  Ibuprofen, in general, is available under different brand names and is available in both OTC and prescription forms.

Can different brands of Ibuprofen work differently? 

No, different brands of Ibuprofen do not work differently. They all contain Ibuprofen as the main active ingredient and that’s all that matters. Ibuprofen is the same all over the world with the same mechanism of action and side effect profile. 

Different brands may add different excipients or inactive ingredients, but they do not affect the therapeutic efficacy of the drug because they are inert and have no medicinal properties of their own. 

As far as the dosage strength of Ibuprofen is the same, it doesn’t matter which brand it is. They are all practically the same. 

Does every Midol formulation contain Ibuprofen?

There are a number of pharmaceutical preparations under the name ‘Midol’, which could confuse people. Not only Ibuprofen, but a whole range of Midol OTC products are available with different active ingredients: including(1):

  • Midol Complete – This formulation usually contains three active ingredients, Acetaminophen (a pain reliever), caffeine (a stimulant), and Pyrilamine maleate (an antihistamine). It is designed to relieve multiple menstrual symptoms, including cramps, bloating, fatigue, and backaches.
  • Midol Teen – This product is specifically formulated for teenage girls who experience menstrual symptoms. It contains acetaminophen, pamabrom (a diuretic that can reduce bloating), and pyrilamine maleate.
  • Midol Extended Relief – This formulation contains Naproxen sodium, which is an NSAID that is similar to Ibuprofen. It is designed to provide long-lasting relief from menstrual symptoms such as cramps and headaches.
  • Midol Liquid Gels – This formulation contains Ibuprofen(2)

How to select the right Midol?

If you are confused as to which Midol formulation is the best one for you to take, talk to your pharmacist. It is also important to make sure that you know the right dosage strength and how often you should take it. 

If you have been taking Midol but you are not seeing any positive difference in your symptoms, it is best to reach out to your doctor. Do not exceed the maximum dosage limit without consulting your provider first.

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References

1.-

Midol manufacturer’s website – https://www.midol.com/midol-products/midol-complete

2.-

PubChem [Internet]. Bethesda (MD): National Library of Medicine (US), National Center for Biotechnology Information; 2004-. PubChem Compound Summary for CID 3672, Ibuprofen; [cited 2023 Feb. 02]. Available from: https://pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/compound/Ibuprofen